Sherwin Williams was the primary sponsor at the following 2015 races:
Pocono - 6/7

TMC Transportation is scheduled to be the primary sponsor at the following 2015 races:
Kansas - 10/18

Teams receive warnings at Phoenix: Six Sprint Cup teams - including championship contender #18-Kyle Busch's team - received warnings for inspection issues last weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR announced Wednesday. Busch's team received its third warning after it failed pre-race inspection twice. If Busch's team receives a fourth warning before pit stalls are picked this weekend, his team will have to pick last for this weekend's season finale. Other Cup teams with three warnings entering this weekend are the teams of #4-Kevin Harvick, #7-Alex Bowman, #11-Denny Hamlin and #23-Jeb Burton.Other Cup teams receiving warnings at Phoenix:
#10-Danica Patrick's team failed pre-race inspection three times and also will lose 15 minutes of practice Friday.
#20-Matt Kenseth's team failed pre-race inspection three times and also will lose 15 minutes of practice Friday.
#46-Michael Annett's team failed pre-race inspection three times and also will lose 15 minutes of practice Friday.
#16-Greg Biffle's team received a warning after failing pre-race inspection twice.
#27-Paul Menard's team received a warning after failing pre-race inspection twice.
(NBC Sports)(11-19-2015)

Annett's hauler catches fire on way to Texas UPDATE: Authorities are responding to a vehicle fire near mile marker 595 on westbound Interstate 20. The driver Michael Dennis Smith said he's okay. He said he pulled over when he saw smoke, and then he and his passenger began detaching the trailer from the cab. He says the fire was around the back of the race car. The fire did not reach the cab. According to Smith, the trailer he was hauling had two NASCAR stock cars in the trailer. They were headed to Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas for a race this weekend.(KLTV) several photos are posted with the story showing an HScott Motorsports hauler with Pilot / Flying J decals.(11-5-2015)UPDATE: The transporter of race cars for HScott Motorsports driver Michael Annett caught fire Thursday in Texas, destroying both race cars as well as additional equipment Annett was expected to use this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway. An Annett spokesman said its drivers were not injured, and the team was preparing to send additional cars in a spare hauler for the approximately 15-hour drive Thursday afternoon to Texas. That should allow the team to participate in practice at 11:30am.ct Friday.(ESPN.com)(11-6-2015)

Different look for #46 at Dega: The biggest racetrack on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series looms for Michael Annett and his #46 Pilot Flying J Chevy team, as they take on Alabama's Talladega Superspeedway. PJ Fresh Pizza, available at more than 250 Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers across North America, will be featured on Annett's #46 Pilot Flying J Chevy this weekend.(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(10-23-2015)

TMC Transportation to sponsor Annett at Kansas: The black and gold colors of TMC Transportation are heading back to the racetrack. TMC Transportation, the nation's largest employee-owned flatbed transportation company, will adorn the #46 Chevy of Michael Annett at Kansas. In driving with the TMC colors, Annett continues a family legacy. His father Harrold owned a TMC-sponsored race team, which included a decorated sprint car team from the 1970s through the late 1990s for legendary drivers such as Mike Brooks and Sammy Swindell. During his climb to the Cup Series, Annett competed in the United States Auto Club (USAC) and American Speed Association (ASA) with TMC as the primary partner. "I'm truly honored to drive with TMC on the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stage," said Annett. "Those cars and teams meant a lot to me growing up, fueling my love for the sport, and I'm proud to carry on my family's tradition in racing."
"TMC employees and their families are very excited for the opportunity to see Michael race the HScott Motorsports No. 46 car at Kansas," said Jason Webb, Executive Vice President of TMC Transportation. "Everyone is looking forward to seeing the debut of the famous black and gold TMC colors at racing's highest level, NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series. Nearly 800 of our associates and their families, as well as many customers, will attend the race to cheer on Michael. It will be a great weekend, and we're hoping that the showing of support for Michael will help bring the 46 team a great finish."(HScott Motorsports / Rising Star Management Group), see images of the car on the #46 Team Schemes page.(10-12-2015)

Allstate Peterbilt Group returns to the #46: Allstate Peterbilt Group, the upper Midwest's largest truck dealer group and a longtime partner of Michael Annett dating back to his time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, will adorn the #46 Chevy SS this weekend. It was last featured on Annett's car this past spring at Kansas Speedway. In eight career NASCAR Xfinity Series starts, Annett has scored three top-10 finishes, including a fifth-place result in 2012.(HScott Motorsports)
see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(9-17-2015)

Switch Hitch back on the #46 at RIR: Michael Annett's #46 HScott Motorsports Chevy will be adorned by Switch Hitch at Richmond. Invented by Terry Brinkley after he experienced problems with traditional hitch balls, Switch Hitch is a tri-ball hitch system designed to quickly switch from one ball to another through a patented switching and locking mechanism (HSM), see images of the car/scheme on the #46 Team Schemes page.(9-9-2015)

Bowyer to Stewart-Haas? in 2017? or to HScott Motorsports? UPDATES: the biggest question is Clint Bowyer, 36, who controls his future today as much as he did when he left Richard Childress Racing to join MWR. With no apparent openings at major teams for next season, Bowyer might need a placeholder ride for a year - much like Kasey Kahne when he drove for Red Bull Racing before joining Hendrick's four-car juggernaut. After that, Bowyer would have more options. The garage has been buzzing for a few months about the possibility of Bowyer joining Stewart-Haas Racing, but to replace who? Reigning Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick is locked in. Danica Patrick just signed a multi-year contract extension. And co-owner Tony Stewart said Tuesday that Kurt Busch's extension will be done "soon." That could leave Stewart, who is struggling to be competitive and has his best years behind him at 44. Could Bowyer drive at SHR in 2017? SHR spokesman Mike Arning told USA TODAY Sports the team wasn't commenting "out of respect for the situation involving Michael Waltrip Racing and its personnel." In the meantime, it doesn't sound like hooking up with Ganassi for one year is an option for Bowyer if Kauffman buys into the team, as the owner stated he planned to. Kauffman said he and Bowyer "agreed we would go our separate ways at the end of the season and I wish him well in whatever direction he pursues."(USA Today)AND Perhaps the dissolution of MWR was the ticket Bowyer needed to move on. Despite entering the first year of a three-year renewal to drive the No. 15 Toyota, a dissolution of MWR would certainly enable Bowyer to pursue others options. In fact, he and Kaufmann have already agreed to go separate ways. If the rumor mill is right, Bowyer is headed to HScott Motorsports. Richard Petty Motorsports made Bowyer an offer several years ago and is interested in him again. But this is why HMS makes sense: Despite Harry Scott Jr. playing coy at Watkins Glen, following a salmon fishing trip with Bowyer in British Columbia, multiple sources say HScott Motorports could offer Bowyer a ride until a premiere seat opens up. Bowyer has been mentioned as the heir apparent for the #14 Chevy once Tony Stewart retires.
Initially, the assumption was that Bowyer would join Kauffman in his move to Chip Ganassi Racing. However, the current plan for CGR in 2016 is to run just two teams. Bowyer's statement on Wednesday offered no indication of his future plans, other than it would not include Kauffman or MWR.(Motorsport)(8-20-2015)UPDATE: Claire B. Lang reported on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Friday evening that Clint Bowyer would move to HScott Motorsports in 2016 and then on to Stewart-Haas Racing in 2017 to replace Tony Stewart.UPDATE 2: Nate Ryan reported on NASCAR America Saturday afternoon that HScott Motorsports says they will remain a two car team next season and #46-Michael Annett will return. The team said they are still working on Justin Allgiaer's deal for 2016.(9-5-2015)UPDATE 3: Amid reports that Clint Bowyer might join its organization next season, HScott Motorsports says it won't be adding a third Sprint Cup car in 2016. The team expanded to a second full-time Chevy this season with Michael Annett joining for Justin Allgaier, who has driven for Harry Scott since 2013. Citing an unnamed source, SiriusXM Satellite Radio host Claire B. Lang reported Friday night that Bowyer would race for HScott Motorsports in '16 and move to Tony Stewart's #14 Chevy in 2017. Bowyer's future is in flux with the impending closure of Michael Waltrip Racing.Asked for comment, HScott Motorsports released this statement:
"Harry continues to work with Justin Allgaier and BRANDT Professional Agriculture on their contracts for next year and beyond. As far as a car count for next year, HScott Motorsports will be a two-car operation. Michael Annett will continue to drive for the team next year."
While it remains possible that Allgaier and Brandt might not return, which would open a potential spot for Bowyer, it seems there also are signs that HScott Motorsports might not have room for a new driver next year.(NBC Sports)(9-6-2015)

Switch Hitch debuts on the #46 at Indy: Michael Annett's #46 Chevy will be adorned by Switch Hitch. Invented by Terry Brinkley after he experienced problems with traditional hitch balls, Switch Hitch is a tri-ball hitch system designed to quickly switch from one ball to another through a patented switching and locking mechanism. Annett made two career starts at IMS in NASCAR Xfinity Series competition, finishing inside the top 10 in both - in 2012, he scored a sixth-place finish, winning the $100,000 Dash for Cash bonus.(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(7-23-2015)

Drivers treated after race: It was an incredibly and humid day at the Magic Mile with severe thunderstorms in the area. After 300 miles of racing, drivers were spent. Three drivers in particular needed medical attention - #47-A.J. Allmendinger, #46-Michael Annett and #83-Matt DiBenedetto. According to PRN, Allmendinger was suffering from strep throat and was treated after getting out of the car. "Great effort by @AJDinger today, tough race while not feeling well," tweeted the team. Allmendinger finished 13th after leading 13 laps. Both Annett and DiBenedetto went to the infield care center after both were showing signs of heat exhaustion and were need of fluids. 29-year-old Annett went via a stretcher. Both have since been released.(Motorsport)(7-20-2015)

Fisher House Foundation Camouflage Scheme at Daytona for Annett: Pilot Flying J is recognizing veterans throughout the month of July by donating 50 cents for every PhilMor coffee mug sold, up to $25,000, to Fisher House Foundation, a network of comfort homes where military and veterans' families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving medical treatment. To commemorate the promotion, Michael Annett's #46 Chevy will carry the Fisher House logo and a special camouflage paint scheme for Sunday's race. Kyle Cones, a U.S. Army veteran and professional driver, will be Annett's guest this weekend as the winner of Pilot Flying J's 2014 Road Warrior Program. The 2015 Road Warrior Program launches this weekend, honoring professional drivers who demonstrate hard work, generosity and bravery. For more information, please visit www.roadwarrior.pilotflyingj.com.(HScott Motorsports), see images of the car/scheme on the #46 Team Schemes page.(7-3-2015)

New sponsor on Annett's Chevy: Sherwin-Williams, the nation's largest retailer of paint and paint supplies and the "Official Paint of NASCAR," will adorn Annett's #46 Chevy this weekend. Annett's only two starts at Pocono Raceway came last year, in his rookie Cup Series season. He corralled finishes of 20th in the June race and 22nd in August's event.(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(6-4-2015)

Allstate Peterbilt Group debuts with Annett: As the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series heads to Kansas Speedway for the 11th race of the 2015 season, Allstate Peterbilt Group, the upper Midwest's largest truck dealer group and a longtime partner of Michael Annett dating back to his time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, prepares for its first race of the season adorning the #46 Chevy SS as the primary partner for the weekend. It was last featured on Annett's car last fall at Martinsville Speedway.(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(5-6-2015)

Bene-Fit featured on Annett's #46 at 'Dega: Bene-Fit, the world's first fully insured hospital indemnity policy with a wellness benefit, makes its debut on Michael Annett's #46 Chevy this Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway. Bene-Fit is a product of Cypress Associates, a partner of Annett's dating back to fall 2014.(HScott Motorsports), see images of the car on the #46 Team Schemes page.(4-30-2015)

PhilMor debuts with Annett at Bristol: This month, Pilot Flying J is debuting its PhilMor travel mug, available in two sizes (20- and 24-oz.) and $1.99 each in the month of April with a MyRewards card. Customers can receive up to a 60-cent discount on each drink refill. PhilMor will adorn the hood of Michael Annett's #46 Chevrolet SS this weekend at Bristol, Pilot Flying J's "home track," roughly 115 miles from its Knoxville, Tenn. headquarters.(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(4-16-2015)

Northland Oil debuts on the #46: Michael Annett's #46 will be adorned at Texas by the logo and livery of Northland, a longtime Annett partner. Saturday's race marks the first time Northland will act as a primary partner in the Sprint Cup Series. Northland Products Company, headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, formulates, manufactures, markets and distributes premium quality engine oil, lubricants, engine coolants and associated fluids throughout North America.(HScott Motorsports), see an image of the car on the #46 team paint schemes page.(4-8-2015)

Cypress Associates Makes 2015 Debut: Michael Annett's #46 Chevy takes on the purple paint scheme of Cypress Associates, a partner for three of Annett's races in the fall of 2014, as the Houston, Texas-based company will make its first appearance on the #46 car this season with its CypressHQ brand. Cypress Associates was founded in 2008 with the goal of providing simple solutions to the complex problem of employee benefits. One of the fastest growing companies in the health insurance industry, Cypress has made a name for itself as a developer of innovative, savings-focused programs like CypressHQ, the world's first fully insured wellness indemnity policy (HScott Motorsports), no word how many races CypressHQ will be the primary sponsor in 2015. See an image of the scheme on the #46 Team Schemes page.(3-5-2015)

Annett to run the #33 at Atlanta: Michael Annett will race in Sunday's Folds of Honor/Quik Trip 500 at Atlanta after all. Pending NASCAR approval, Annett will drive the #33 Pilot Flying J Chevy for Circle Sport Racing according to HScott Motorspors team owner Harry Scott,. Annett, 28, just started his sophomore Sprint Cup Season with HScott Motorsports in the #46 Chevy this season. However Annett was one of 13 cars that were unable to make it through NASCAR technical inspection in time to qualify on Friday. His good friend Brian Scott, who qualified 32nd but is running for the championship in the XFINITY Series, relinquished his ride to Annett. "Many thanks to (team principal) Mike Hillman, Sr. and Brian Scott," Harry Scott added in the text to Motorsport.com. Annett finished 13th last week in the Daytona 500. He is currently 12th in the Sprint Cup point standings.(Motorsport)(2-28-2015)

Jay Guy to serve as Annett's crew chief: Jay Guy will be the crew chief for Michael Annett and the #46 Pilot Flying J Chevy at HScott Motorsports. Since 1998, the 42-year-old crew chief has honed his leadership skills in both the Xfinity and Sprint Cup Series. Guy most recently worked with David Ragan at Front Row Motorsports where he led the #34 team - and the organization - to its first win in the spring race at Talladega Superspeedway. Over his career, Guy has worked with Team Penske, Wood Brothers Racing and Furniture Row Racing.
Team owner Harry Scott also said during the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour last week that HSM will pursue a technical alliance with Stewart Haas Racing in 2015. While the team's primary partnership is with Hendrick Motorsports, who supplies HSM's engines and engineering, Scott calls the alignment with SHR "a more formal relationship" than in the past. Despite rumors to the contrary, Scott said he has "no plans in the near future" to move his Spartanburg, S.C. shop to the Mooresville, N.C.-area.(Motorsport)(2-5-2015)

Michael Annett joins HScott Motorsports as second full-time driver UPDATE #46: HScott Motorsports enters the 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series (NSCS) season with a new look as it expands to two cars. Justin Allgaier will return to the #51 BRANDT Chevy while Michael Annett joins the team and will drive a Chevrolet adorned by longtime anchor partner Pilot Flying J. "The addition of a second team increases HScott's overall ability to better utilize its resources at track and at the shop to be even more competitive," said team owner Harry Scott Jr. "I'm proud to have seen Justin truly mature as a NSCS driver last year, and I can't wait to see what he does this year. Like Justin, Michael is coming off his rookie year following six years of competition in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Michael is a quality driver with a great future at HScott Motorsports. These drivers compliment one another and will make great teammates."
"This is as excited as I've been for a new season, I can't wait to get to Daytona and fire the engines," said Allgaier. "I'm looking forward to carrying the momentum from the end of last season over to this year. Michael is a great addition to our organization and I'm glad to have a teammate to compete with each week."
BRANDT Professional Agriculture, a leading agriculture retailer and manufacturer of agricultural specialty products, returns as the primary sponsor of the #51 Chevy for 21 races, beginning with the Daytona 500 on February 22. Auto-Owners Insurance will also be the primary partner on the #51 for three races.
"Justin and the #51 team continue to be a great source of pride for BRANDT employees and customers, and we are all looking forward to a great 2015 season," said BRANDT President and CEO Rick Brandt. "I'm excited for the opportunity to drive for HScott Motorsports," said Annett. "I am impressed with the way Harry is building his NASCAR teams. Harry and competition director Steve Addington have a long-term vision and I'm honored to be part of it. I'm also looking forward to having Justin as a teammate." Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel retail centers, will be a primary partner on Annett's car. Other partners include Cypress Associates, Inc., Allstate Peterbilt Group and Northland Oil.(HScott Motorsports), no car number for Annett was announced. Annett drove the #7 Chevy for Tommy Baldwin Racing in 2014.(1-27-2015)UPDATE: at the NASCAR Fan Appreciation Day at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Michael Annett was handing out hero cards with an image of the #46 Pilot Flying J Chevy. See an image of the car on the #46 Team Schemes page.(1-31-2015)

Chili Bowl winner gets NASCAR ride: HScott Motorsports with Justin Marks announced that USAC National Midget champion and open wheel standout, Rico Abreu, will join the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East team in 2015. Abreu, 22, competed in more than 100 open-wheel races in 2014 in the United States and New Zealand. He posted 26 wins across 410 winged and non-winged sprint car, 360 winged sprints, and USAC midget competition in which he also won the national championship. Abreu most recently won the 2015 Chili Bowl Nationals last weekend. Abreu's #98 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East entry will be led by veteran K&N crew chief Mardy Lindley. Lindley has amassed five-career victories in three seasons, along with the 2013 K&N title with driver Dylan Kwasniewski. The NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season gets underway on February 15 at New Smyrna Speedway. Abreu will kick-start his experience in stock cars and on pavement by competing in the Pete Orr Memorial Super Late Model event also at New Smyrna Speedway this Saturday, February 24.(PR)AND Sources tell ESPN The Magazine that these races will serve as the first stages of a driver development agreement with Chip Ganassi Racing, whom Larson drives for in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Ganassi did little to keep the secret on Saturday night, following the Chili Bowl finish by excitedly posting in his second-ever (and since deleted) tweet: "There's a name you'll be hearing more of. Stay Tuned!" Also among the most notable post-Chili Bowl congratulatory tweets was one from NASCAR VP of Racing Operations Steve O'Donnell: "Congrats @Rico_Abreu looking forward to seeing you in #nascar."(ESPN)(1-21-2015)

Annett moving to HScott Motorsports? Multiple sources have confirmed that Michael Annett and his Pilot/Flying J sponsorship will jump from Tommy Baldwin Racing (#7) to the HScott Motorsports stable in 2015, running the entire 36-race championship schedule as a teammate to #51-Justin Algaier. Annett finished 33rd in points at the wheel of TBR's #7 Chevy in 2014; his rookie year of Sprint Cup Series competition. The team managed a top finish of 16th at Talladega Superspeedway in May. Annett declined to comment on the move when contacted earlier today (Tuesday), but sources close to the situation say he will race as a teammate to Algaier and the #51 Brandt Chevy, making HScott Motorsports a two-car operation for the first time in their brief Sprint Cup Series history. Calls placed to team owner Harry Scott, Jr. were not immediately returned.(Godfather Motorsports). HScott Motorsports ran an 2nd car for the Daytona 500 in 2014, with Bobby Labonte driving the #52 Florida Lottery Chevy to a 16th place finish. It was the only attempt of the season for the #52 team.(1-20-2015)

2014 News

Labonte will run a handful of races in #52: James Finch and HScott Motorsports were thrilled with Bobby Labonte's 15th-place finish Sunday, his best performance in Cup since the Daytona 500 last year. Just don't expect it to translate into a full-time ride driving the team's second car. The 2000 Cup champ, who turns 50 this year, has been signed for a fairly limited schedule, the four plate races (Daytona and Talladega) as well as two more TBD events in the #52. More sponsorship could beef up the program, but there's no major deals on the table for Labonte as of now.(Frontstretch)(2-26-2014)

Engine Issues for three drivers, will go to the rear of Daytona 500: #10-Danica Patrick, who won the pole for the Daytona 500 last year, was one of three drivers to have their Hendrick Motorsports engines suffer catastrophic failures in practice Saturday. #52-Bobby Labonte, driving a second car for HScott Motorsports, was the first using a leased HMS engine to experience trouble in the first practice session of the day. In the second session, the #14 Chevy of Tony Stewart -- Patrick's teammate at Stewart-Haas Racing -- belched smoke, signaling a failure. Patrick's #10 Chevrolet did much the same 10 minutes later. Both Stewart and Patrick said they had no warning. "It's just a motor. If it was getting ready for the race you would be a little more concerned," Stewart said. "It's just for qualifying. They pay the big check a week from tomorrow, not tomorrow."
Each team will be forced to start from the rear of the field for the Daytona 500. All three cars will also begin their respective Thursday qualifying races from the rear. None of Hendrick Motorsports' drivers suffered such problems. HMS director of track support Scott Maxim surmised problems were in the "bottom" of the engine but would not know for certain until each was dismantled. HMS general manager Doug Duchardt foresaw no problems for the rest of the race weekend, saying the team had "pushed the limit and found the limit."(ESPN)(2-15-2014)

Phoenix Racing renamed HScott Motorsports: Harry Scott Jr. announced that Phoenix Racing has been renamed HScott Motorsports. The rebranding of the team comes five months after Scott purchased the team from James Finch. As part of this announcement, the company unveiled its new branding, including a new logo, website and social media accounts. "I am truly looking forward to the 2014 season," said Scott. "We have two great drivers in place with Justin Allgaier and Bobby Labonte, we've partnered with great sponsors and the team is ready and excited for Daytona. Now that we have launched the HScott Motorsports brand, everything is in place. We can't wait for the season to get started and to get back to racing."
To learn more about the newly rebranded team, its drivers and partners, please visit www.HScottMotorsports.com. You can also keep up with the team via its Facebook page, at Facebook.com/HScottMotorsports, and on Twitter (@TeamHSM51 and @TeamHSM52) and Instagram (TeamHSM51).
Upon purchasing the team last year, Scott pledged to establish a team with a focus on the future and eventually competing for a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship. During this past offseason, HScott Motorsports signed Justin Allgaier to drive the #51 BRANDT Professional Agriculture Chevrolet SS fulltime and Bobby Labonte to drive the #52 Chevrolet SS for a number of races, including the Daytona 500. HScott Motorsports also expanded their relationship with Hendrick Motorsports, which historically has been providing engines to the team. The team also hired NSCS veteran Steve Addington to serve as competition director and the crew chief for the #51 driven by Allgaier. Jimmy Elledge, who served as interim crew chief for Allgaier in 2013, remains with the team and will be crew chief for Labonte's #52 team. James Finch, former owner of Phoenix Racing, has remained a trusted advisor to the team and will be listed as the owner of Labonte's #52 Chevy.(Tuckahoe Strategies)(2-5-2014)

2013 News

Finch plans to enter a car in Daytona 500 UPDATE2: Former #51 Phoenix Racing team owner James Finch told Brad Gillie and Buddy Baker on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio's The Late Shift that he plans to enter a car in the 2014 Daytona 500.(listen at Soundcloud/SiriusXM). Finch will use a car from his old team, Phoenix Racing, now owned by Harry Scott Jr.. No word on a driver or what car nuumber Finch will use.(12-10-2013)UPDATE: James Finch has asked 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champ Bobby Labonte to run a second Phoenix Racing Chevy in the 2014 Daytona 500. Finch, who sold majority interest of his team to Harry Scott last summer, said he hopes to have the car, engine and team solidified next week. "We'll be running out of the Phoenix Racing shop," Finch said. "I hope to have a number before Christmas. I'm waiting for NASCAR to get back to me on that."(FoxSports)(12-12-2013)UPDATE 2: Phoenix Racing announced that Bobby Labonte will drive a second car for the team in the Daytona 500 on February 23, 2014 at Daytona International Speedway. The move reunites Phoenix Racing chairman emeritus, James Finch, with the 2000 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, Bobby Labonte. Labonte drove for Phoenix Racing for 13 races in the #09 in 2010 and for one race at Michigan International Speedway in 2013 in the #51. Harry Scott, Jr., who purchased the team from Finch in 2013, said, "James continues to be a valuable part of our team and when he came up with the idea of running Bobby in a second car, I jumped at the opportunity to bring him back into the fold. Bobby is a veteran driver that can also provide valuable insight and leadership for Phoenix Racing."
"I'm thrilled to be headed back to Daytona with Bobby Labonte," said Finch. "I thank Harry Scott for this opportunity. He knew I would have to be weaned off racing, I can't quit cold turkey."
"I am grateful and excited to return to Daytona with Phoenix Racing," said Labonte. "The Daytona 500 is obviously a special event for everyone involved in the sport. I can't wait to get back in the car for my 22nd Daytona 500."
Labonte, who will run a number of races for Phoenix Racing in 2014 has won 21 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races in his career that started in 1991. During that time Labonte scored 115 Top 5s and 203 Top 10s. In 1990 Labonte was named the NASCAR Nationwide Series Most Popular Driver. He captured the NASCAR Nationwide Series championship a year later in 1991. The team will provide additional information in the coming weeks about which car number will be entered, the crew chief for the team and sponsors supporting the car.(Phoenix Racing)(12-17-2013)

Barkdoll leaves Phoenix Racing: Phoenix Racing general manager Steve Barkdoll has parted ways with the NASCAR Sprint Cup team. The move comes one week after new owner Harry Scott Jr., co-owner of Turner Scott Motorsports, formally took control of the # 51 team formerly owned by James Finch. The team made its debut under new ownership last Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel of the #51 Brandt Chevy.(Fox Sports)(9-18-2013)

Harry Scott, Jr. Reaches Agreement with Phoenix Racing - MORE: Harry Scott, Jr. has come to a definitive agreement with James Finch to purchase Phoenix Racing. Scott will formally take over control of the team as its owner on September 10, 2013 with Justin Allgaier behind the wheel of the #51 Chevy in time for the GEICO 400 at Chicagoland Speedway. "This is a very proud day for me as I will have the opportunity to compete against the best teams in motorsports in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as the owner of Phoenix Racing," said Scott. "I am going to build a championship contender with hard work, the right people and the right partners. This team has a great foundation thanks to the efforts of James Finch. There is a lot to build upon and I am looking forward to getting started." Scott's role as a co-owner in Turner Scott Motorsports (TSM) is unchanged and he will continue to take an active role in that team on and off the track. "I owe a lot of gratitude to Steve Turner for bringing me into the sport as an owner. My experience at TSM will continue to serve me well in this next step," said Scott. Driver Justin Allgaier is making the move with Scott from TSM to Phoenix Racing and will be the team's driver in the #51 Chevy for its debut at Chicagoland Speedway on September 15 and two additional races this year. Allgaier, who is currently 5th in points in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (NNS), will continue his pursuit of a championship in that series for TSM. Scott has signed a deal with BRANDT to be the primary sponsor of the #51 for three NSCS races this season. BRANDT, which also sponsors Allgaier in the NNS for Turner Scott Motorsports, will be the primary sponsor of the #51 at Chicagoland, Charlotte Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway. Allgaier will be the driver for each of those races. Scott has committed to keeping the Phoenix Racing team intact for the remainder of the season. Allgaier's crew chief will be Nick Harrison. Harrison is a third year crew chief and has worked with several drivers including Kurt Busch, Landon Cassill and A.J. Allmendinger. Phoenix Racing's general manager, Steve Barkdoll, will continue in his role after Scott takes over. The team will continue its relationships and alliances with Chevy, Hendrick Motorsports and Earnhardt Ganassi Racing.
Scott is working with NASCAR for final approval.(Tuckahoe Strategies)(8-28-2013)UPDATE: Justin Allgaier, currently fifth in NASCAR Nationwide Series standings, will ... drive the #51 at [Chicago], Charlotte and Talladega. Scott said he has a driver in mind for the other seven races remaining in the 2013, adding the team would make another announcement on that front in the coming weeks. Phoenix Racing will remain a single entity and not be merged with Turner Scott, which Scott owns along with Steve Turner, and fields cars on three other NASCAR circuits. Scott believes all that's keeping the #51 car from being more consistently competitive is sponsorship -- and he says the team now has enough to finish out the 2013 season, as well as some already in place for the next two years. "In my opinion, they've been on the cusp. They've been competitive at times, so they've shown the ability to be competitive. Really what they've lacked is sponsorship, and we've got some. We've been fortunate to team up with some good partners, and that, I think, is going to give us what those guys have needed as far as a little more resources to kind of get them over the hump, to kind of take them to the next level," Scott said. "That gives us the ability to plan and invest and know that we've got these two years to kind of prove ourselves and attract even more sponsorship. And potentially in '16, maybe we'll have two cars. It's going to give us what we need in order to succeed, in order to be confident you're making a good investment. We will have time to pay our dues." The only sponsor announced thus far for the #51 car is Brandt, the agricultural products company that backs Allgaier's Nationwide car, which will appear on the vehicle for the three Sprint Cup events for which he's behind the wheel. Scott said the rest would be filled out by a variety of backers, although one company will serve as the team's primary sponsorship source, and there is inventory remaining on the vehicle going forward.(NASCAR.com)(8-29-2013)

Sale of Phoenix Racing finalized? Multiple sources say the sale of the #51-Phoenix Racing Sprint Cup Series team to Turner-Scott Motorsports principal Harry Scott, Jr. is now complete, and will be officially announced on September 1 weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Finch will continue to operate the team until then, in an effort to maintain its 27th-place owner points standing.(Godfather Motorsports)(8-13-2013)